SMU Athletics Launches New Student-Athlete Success Department
Jun 16 | Equestrian, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis, Rowing, Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Track & Field, Student-Athlete Success, SMU Mustang Club, Name, Image, & Likeness
DALLAS (SMU) – As part of its goal of Shaping Champions and preparing students for life, SMU Athletics proudly announces the creation of a new Student-Athlete Success Department.
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This new department encompasses all student-development-centered efforts such as Life After Ball, SAAC and community service initiatives. Additionally, it will house NIL Education and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming. Due to a generous donation from Suzanne and Glenn Youngkin, SMU Athletics will be able to grow staffing in these critical areas in our support of our student-athletes.
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"College athletics have always been important to Glenn and me and we are particularly proud to be championing activities that aim to bolster student-athletes' success in all aspects of their lives after college," said Suzanne Youngkin.
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The Student-Athlete Success Department's goal is to provide athletes with a clear path to success once their competition days are over. Programming will encourage Mustang student-athletes to utilize the powerful SMU network, take charge of their growth and participate in various leadership and development opportunities. With the ever-changing demands student-athletes face, it aims to keep career preparation a focal point and allows athletes to evolve throughout their time on the Hilltop. Along with the re-structuring of the department, a new class focused on NIL and life-skill-specific topics is being developed for first- and third-year student-athletes in partnership with the Simmons School of Education.
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Assistant A.D. for Student-Athlete Success Lisa Rawlins will lead this new department and Andre Harris will continue to assist her in these efforts. National searches for a new Director of Inclusive Excellence and Director of Student-Athlete Success will begin soon.
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"I want to thank Suzanne and Glenn for investing in the creation of a new Student-Athlete Success Department, as well as the many generous donors and participants who've contributed to Life After Ball. As coaches and administrators, we are charged with shaping champions – preparing student-athletes for life. Imparting the knowledge and skills necessary to become community leaders and World Changers is critical to the fulfillment of this mission," said Rick Hart, SMU Director of Athletics. "This new initiative will differentiate the SMU student-athlete experience through enhanced educational and experiential programming and career placement."
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This new department encompasses all student-development-centered efforts such as Life After Ball, SAAC and community service initiatives. Additionally, it will house NIL Education and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming. Due to a generous donation from Suzanne and Glenn Youngkin, SMU Athletics will be able to grow staffing in these critical areas in our support of our student-athletes.
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"College athletics have always been important to Glenn and me and we are particularly proud to be championing activities that aim to bolster student-athletes' success in all aspects of their lives after college," said Suzanne Youngkin.
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The Student-Athlete Success Department's goal is to provide athletes with a clear path to success once their competition days are over. Programming will encourage Mustang student-athletes to utilize the powerful SMU network, take charge of their growth and participate in various leadership and development opportunities. With the ever-changing demands student-athletes face, it aims to keep career preparation a focal point and allows athletes to evolve throughout their time on the Hilltop. Along with the re-structuring of the department, a new class focused on NIL and life-skill-specific topics is being developed for first- and third-year student-athletes in partnership with the Simmons School of Education.
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Assistant A.D. for Student-Athlete Success Lisa Rawlins will lead this new department and Andre Harris will continue to assist her in these efforts. National searches for a new Director of Inclusive Excellence and Director of Student-Athlete Success will begin soon.
Â
"I want to thank Suzanne and Glenn for investing in the creation of a new Student-Athlete Success Department, as well as the many generous donors and participants who've contributed to Life After Ball. As coaches and administrators, we are charged with shaping champions – preparing student-athletes for life. Imparting the knowledge and skills necessary to become community leaders and World Changers is critical to the fulfillment of this mission," said Rick Hart, SMU Director of Athletics. "This new initiative will differentiate the SMU student-athlete experience through enhanced educational and experiential programming and career placement."
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